Hail Queen of Heaven!

Some weeks ago I had the joy of assisting to a magnificent Eucharistic adoration organised bythe Komunità Ġesù Salvatur.

The way it was organized and the healing spirit that reigned in this adoration were really unforgettible! This adoration made me more appreciate what the Venerable Pope Pius XII wrote in his encylical Mediator Dei, had to say about how Eucharistic adoration is a catalyst for doctrinal progress and provides a deeper understanding of Christ’s presence in the Blessed Eucharist outside the Mass. He said that various modes of Eucharistic adoration “have brought a wonderful increase in faith and supernatural life to the Church militant upon earth” (MD, 133).

My increase in faith and supernatural life, thanks to this Eucharistic adoration, has also been due to a fascinating Marian hymn which, the charismatic priest who animated the adoration, wonderfully played towards its end. This Marian hymn, which is also featured in the 2005 epic historical drama film set within the 12th century Crusades background, (which was directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by William Monahan), Kingdom of Heaven, is called Ave Regina Caelorum, or Hail Queen of Heaven. Its words are really moving and inspiring!

Let us pray: Grant, O merciful God, to our weak natures Thy protection, that we who commemorate the holy Mother of God may, by the help of her intercession, arise from our iniquities. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

What are the biblical and theological undertones of this profound Marian title? With this title Queen of Heaven, Mary certainly surpasses the gebirah or the “Great Lady”, the Mother of theKing, who, under certain Davidic kings, had great power as advocate with the King. Take, for instance, the case in 1 Kings 2:20, where King Solomon said to his Mother Bathsheba, who was seated on a throne on his right side: “Make your request, my mother; for I will not refuse you” (1 Kings 2:20).

The Church has always considered the woman clothed with the sun in the Book of Revelation 12 as referring to Mary. “And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; she was with child and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery” (Rev 12:1-2).

As Pope Pius XII rightly explained in his encyclical on proclaiming the Queenship of Mary, Ad Caeli Reginam (Nos 17-21), there is ample patristic evidence which illustrates this powerful Marian title within the Church’s rich tradition. St Andrew of Crete writes: “Today He transports from her earthly dwelling, as Queen of the human race, His ever-Virgin Mother, from whose womb He, the living God, took on human form.” For Andrew of Crete Mary is “the Queen of theentire human race faithful to the exact meaning of her name, who is exalted above all things save only God himself”. St Germanus addresses the humble Mary with these eloquent words: “Be enthroned, Lady, for it is fitting that you should sit in an exalted place since you are a Queen and glorious above all kings… Queen of all of those who dwell on earth”. St. John Damascene calls Mary “Queen, ruler, and lady” and “the Queen of every creature.” Another ancient writer of theEastern Church refers to Mary as “favored Queen,” “the perpetual Queen beside the King, her son,” whose “snow-white brow is crowned with a golden diadem”. Lastly, St. Ildephonsus of Toledo salutes Mary in the following majestic way: “O my Lady, my Sovereign, You who rule over me, Mother of my Lord . . . Lady among handmaids, Queen among sisters”.